{"id":296,"date":"2019-07-25T18:31:44","date_gmt":"2019-07-25T18:31:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/rbevis\/?page_id=296"},"modified":"2024-01-05T22:02:50","modified_gmt":"2024-01-06T06:02:50","slug":"cayman-islands-volleyball-federation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/rbevis\/cayman-islands-volleyball-federation\/","title":{"rendered":"International Sport Development"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The following content highlights two very impactful International volleyball experiences that I engaged in that reflect my passion for coaching and life-long learning. Although, one experience was very comprehensive and took place during a six month sabbatical and the second experience was much shorter, they both allowed me to share my expertise and develop a stronger understanding of the many cultural nuances of coaching both indoor and beach Volleyball. It also allowed me to build many deep and meaningful relationships with coaches and athletes in the Cayman Islands and Nicaragua.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the first six months of 2019, I was a guest of the Cayman Islands Volleyball Federation (CIVF), serving as a Visiting Coach. My primary focus while on Grand Cayman was to re-establish and nurture the growth of a previously dormant youth Volleyball Development system. I was also tasked with working with the Senior National Beach Program. The weeks seemed to fly bye quickly, as along with a group of keen and talented volunteer coaches and enthusiastic athletes we successfully initiated and ran numerous programs. My time in the Cayman Islands really allowed me to showcase and refine my skill sets in both teaching and coaching; from grassroots to high performance, both indoor and on the sand. It was an invaluable professional development experience, and I am very proud of the success of the programs and initiatives that were completed.
Following is a synopsis of my activity: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Youth Development<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Established and completed a 10 week\/20 session youth skill development program.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Provided coaching support and led practices for school teams competing in a six week inter-school league.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Visited Cayman Brac and held a weekend youth volleyball clinic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Established a Youth National Team Development Program. Thirty six athletes ages 14-18 were selected for the 3 month program, April-June.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Led the beach component of the Youth National Team Development Program.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Organized and delivered the inaugural Cayman Islands Secondary Schools Doubles Beach Volleyball Championships.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Established two new grassroots programs at The Cayman Islands International School. Grades 3-5 featuring Circulation Volleyball and Smashball components and a Grades 6-8 Train and Play program, with both Tripleball and modified scoring competitions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Coaching Development<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Mentoring of CIVF coaches took place continually as the lead coach for the youth skill development program, and mentoring with the Youth National Teams and Senior National Beach Team head coaches<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Led two \u201cteaching volleyball\u201d professional development clinics for both public and private School teachers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Senior National Beach Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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I led\nover 50 training sessions for the Women\u2019s and Men\u2019s Senior National Beach\nProgram.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Teams\nparticipated in several NORCECA Tour stops as well as preparation for the\nNatWest Island Games, held in Gibraltar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Provided\nexpertise in the development of a CIVF National Teams Program plan for the next\nquadrennial.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
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*BONUS*<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
One additional\nexperience of note was the opportunity to present a 5 week skill development\nprogram at the Fairbanks Women\u2019s Prison as part of a health and fitness\ninitiative. I thoroughly enjoyed this\nunique opportunity and I felt that it was both effective and appreciated. No pictures allowed!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The\nquestion that I was asked most often during the six months in the Cayman\nIslands, both on Island and from friends and family back in Canada was \u201cHow do\nyou like Cayman?\u201d My answer was very\nconsistent, \u201cI have met great people! I\nhave always left the gym or sand courts feeling appreciated by the athletes,\ncoaches and even parents. It was a\nwonderful personal and professional experience. \nThe sport of Volleyball has an opportunity to continue to shine bright\non the Island, I will be forever grateful to be part of that. I hope to return to the Cayman Islands when\nthe next opportunity presents itself!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
In November, 2023 I travelled to San Juan del Sur, a beautiful and vibrant City on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua to complete an International Sport Development project with three local youth sport organizations. In SJDS, I spent time with the coaches and athletes of Pancho Beach Volleyball Pro, Winston\u2019s Academy Volley Playa, and the Escuelas de Voleibol de San Juan del Sur. The program consisted of a community coaching clinic, as well as leading multiple training sessions for athletes ages 7-21 in both the beach and indoor volleyball disciplines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt really was a fantastic week of Volleyball and camaraderie, learning about the Nicaraguan style of coaching and training while sharing a Canadian perspective\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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